The D50 was designed by Vittorio Jano for Lancia and made its debut at the end of the 1954 season. It was immediately on the pace, Alberto Ascari putting the car on pole position for the Spanish Grand Prix at Pedralbes.

However Ascari was killed during the 1955 season and Lancia withdrew from F1 shortly afterwards.

The cars were purchased by Ferrari and raced as ‘Lancia-Ferraris’ thereafter, Juan Manuel Fangio winning his fourth world championship with one in 1956.